Preliminary hearing set for Loveland murder suspect

Leroy Arlen Wallace, 48, appeared in court on Friday

FORT COLLINS — A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for the Loveland man accused of murdering a woman he'd had a prior relationship with last year.

Leroy Arlen Wallace, 48, appeared in 8th Judicial District Court on Friday with his attorney, Mathew Morriss, who requested a preliminary hearing.

During the full-day hearing on September 3, the judge will hear a summary of evidence and decide if it's enough for Wallace to face first-degree murder and felony stalking charges.

Wallace appeared in custody from Larimer County Jail, where he has been held since he was arrested by a SWAT team at his Loveland home just after 1 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2013.

According to police, 42-year-old Christina Anjoleen Gray was found dead in her home at 1512 N. Jefferson Ave. three days before Wallace's arrest. Gray's body was found after a family member concerned about her safety asked friends to check on her.

Gray reportedly died of blunt force trauma and stragulation, but police have released few other details in the case. Police have not released how Wallace was identified as the suspect, but said he was a known associate of Gray and had a prior relationship with her.

Wallace is being held on $500,000 bond. The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 3.